Unable to log in via desktop ssh ok
 

I am running RHEL and can log in through ssh but not via the desktop. Can someone direct me to the source of the problem? I thought it was looking for LDAP but LDAP is not configured. This problem is with root as well as normal users.

Running a remote gui desktop requires a set of programs, a clinet and a server like NX. There are others, but nothing faster than NX. It is available as a free download.

Unable to log in via desktop ssh ok
 

I am not able to log in to the box directly connected to it. I get an error message saying authentication failed. I know the passwords are correct because I use the same accounts when I ssh in. I'm looking for someone that knows the configuration settings that are preventing me from loggin in locally.

From your problem description it was not clear you could not log in locally. Two things come to mind. I know you said you knoe your password, don't forget case does matter in linux. Just in case they are wrong, change one to a very simple password, use numbers only. Then see if you can get in. ie 12345 After you get control you can change it later.

Second thought, since it fails in the gui, it is possible you have the wrong keyboard mapped to the keyboard. Some maps change key locations. This could explain the problem, if any of the keys that move are used.

I'm not sure how to tell if you are not in the gui. So, try my suggestion above. Once in you can look at the settings. If you can't find them, post more information about which desktop you are using. KDE, Gnome, Xfce etc...

You're not trying to log in as root are you?

Unable top log in via desktop ssh ok
 

No I'm not trying to log in as root but on this system no lock downs have been applied yet so I should be able to do that also.

I am leaning to some sort to login display configuration issue but I'm not sure.

Do you use the local files for authentication, or do you use NIS or samba or LDAP?

You may want to log in with ssh and read the logs to see what caused the local login failures.
Look in /var/log/messages or /var/log/security (if you have it).

Check /etc/securetty